Charizard

Smash Attacks

SIDE SMASH

Charizard winds up then uses its long neck to attack with this headbutt. This attack has some invincibility.

DOWN SMASH

Charizard stomps the ground while flapping both wings down to attack.

UP SMASH

Charizard uses each wing to attack in an upward motion. The second attack pops opponents up into the air.

Basic Attacks

Standing Attack

A three-hit attack string where Charizard claws at your opponent before knocking that opponent up and away.

Forward Tilt

Charizard whips its tail around to hit the opponent. This can be aimed up or down.

Up Tilt

Charizard hops and attacks upwards with its wings. The wings do not take damage here, so this is especially useful against airborne opponents.

Down Tilt

Charizard uses its long neck to headbutt opponents out of the way.

Dash Attack

Charizard lifts its foot while running to boot opponents into the air.

Edge Attack

Charizard returns to the stage with a headbutt attack.

Air Attacks

Neutral Air Attack

Charizard performs a front flip while attacking with its tail.

Up Air Attack

Charizard swings its head upward to hit opponents above it. This attack has some invincibility.

Down Air Attack

Charizard kicks downward with one foot. This attack has a meteor effect.

Forward Air Attack

Charizard claws forward in the air.

Back Air Attack

A strong tail attack with long range.

Special Attacks

Flamethrower (Neutral Special)

Charizard breathes fire onto nearby opponents. You can aim it up and down, but the longer you use it, the shorter its range. If you use it up all the way, it takes about 10 seconds to fully recharge its range.

Flare Blitz (Side Special)

Engulfed in flames, Charizard flies far forward in a damaging attack. Striking an enemy or obstacle results in a small explosion that can also cause damage. Charizard takes damage from this, even when it doesn’t connect with anything.

Fly (Up Special)

This attack spirals upward, hitting the opponent multiple times.

Rock Smash (Down Special)

Charizard headbutts a rock so that its fragments hit the opponents. The fragments fly out in random directions, so be close to maximize efficiency. Charizard has some super armor here and will not flinch if hit during this attack.

Final Smash

Mega Evolution

Charizard transforms into Mega Charizard X. In this form, it can fly in all directions, you can press the Special button to shoot fireballs, and Charizard has super armor for the duration of the transformation. Pressing the Attack button does an attack similar to Charizard’s Up Special, except you can do it in any direction and it knocks the opponent away horizontally. Each fireball does about 16% damage, while each spiral attack does about 24% damage. The fireballs temporarily trap the opponent in a flame pillar, giving you a chance to hit with the spiral attack. Be sure you’re over ground before the transformation wears off!

Strategy

Charizard is a heavier character with below-average mobility and attack speed. It makes up for this with above-average damage output and long range on its attacks and throws. Its Flamethrower and Flare Blitz can be useful in wearing down faster opponents from a distance. To compensate for its slower attack speed, Charizard also has various invincibilities and super armor to use with Side Smash, Up Air, and Rock Smash.

From a distance, Charizard can pressure opponents to approach by using its Flamethrower attack. This doesn’t do much damage, but it’s very disruptive, so use it mainly to set up additional offense. It’s also useful for dealing with projectiles or when edge-guarding. Flare Blitz is useful for punishing opponents at a distance, for backing away from opponents, or for just crashing into groups of opponents and dealing damage to everyone. Charizard takes about 4% damage for using this, even if Charizard doesn’t make contact for the explosion. You can also make contact and explode if you merely crash into a wall or a steep slope, so take care when these obstacles are nearby. Rock Smash is best used up close or at a small distance away from opponents. Its super armor allows this attack to complete and damage opponents, even if they’re hitting you. This is particularly useful if opponents have high damage and you’re looking for a KO. (Note that the headbutt is the primary damage, not the rock pieces.) Fly has some super armor at the beginning, making it more viable as an attack as well, but its primary use is still for recovery. You can also control Fly a bit to the left or right.

In the air, Charizard is a little more of a threat because of its extra jump. Back Air is Charizard’s best aerial to get KOs, and Down Air gives an excellent meteor smash. Up Air is more useful lower in the air, thanks to the invincibility it has on Charizard’s head. For KOs on the ground, use Side Smash for its awesome damage with invincibility. Down Smash and Flare Blitz can be good for horizontal KOs; Up Smash, Up Air, and Fly can be used for vertical KOs. When edge-guarding, use Flamethrower, Flare Blitz, Side Tilt, and Down Tilt. Use Charizard’s range to your advantage, and grab opponents to pressure them into jumping so you can hit them with your Up Tilt or Up Air! When you are at a higher percentage and therefore at a higher risk of being KO’d, consider using Fire Blitz more! Though damaging to Charizard, the move has priority as well as a high KO potential.

Recovery

Charizard has a couple of good tools for recovery. Flare Blitz is its best option for horizontal recovery, but be aware it will always damage you, even if it doesn’t make contact with an opponent. You are not put into a fall state after Flare Blitz, but if you crash into a stage with it, then you end up in a fall state. For vertical recovery, Charizard’s best option is its Fly Special. Finally, don’t forget that Charizard has three jumps instead of two like everyone else!